Refugee
09-02-2007, 05:23 PM
This post is from Patti (Dreamgirl).
Since I’ve been described in that Hampton review as an old, fat, tackily-dressed, lunatic fan, I figured I would finally write and ‘fess up about my concert experience. I know many of you, and I hope that you are happy for me that I was able to attend. First of all, I would have admitted beforehand I was going to the concert, but so many on the boards had (and still have) such strong opinions about it that I didn’t want to get caught up in the controversy. I had no issues with TP&HB performing in the Hamptons or with me attending the concert. Tom has said in numerous interviews that he wanted a break from touring. He must have seen this concert as a no-hassle way of performing a bit while getting some substantial cash in the process. It was a lot of money to pay for a ticket, but when my husband asked me for suggestions for an anniversary gift and I told him, “I want to see Tom Petty,” he figured it was a lot cheaper than a nice piece of jewelry and said, “Go for it!” So I did.
Now, just to clear things up before I review the concert, hardly anything that reporter said about me was true -- from my appearance to things I said. I have great sympathy for celebrities since I now know just how much reporters twist things around. I thought the girl next to me was a fan. She was there from the start of the show and we were laughing, talking and dancing, etc. together. Now I know she was just trying to get a story. I guess I’m too naďve and trusting. When she finally admitted she was a reporter and I wouldn’t talk to her anymore, she slunk off to pester someone else, I guess. Here’s the truths and the untruths:
Appearance: I guess I’m vain enough to be the most bothered by how she described me! I am over forty so the middle aged part is true and I do wear glasses. And while I’m not thin, I’m also not obese—just somewhere in-between. I don’t think anyone would describe me as “stout”. I certainly was not wearing sequin-studded shorts and a blue paisley shirt! I didn’t even wear shorts to Vegas in 2005 when I waited in line ten hours in the hot sun to see the band. No, to the Hamptons concert I wore long jeans and a black, lacey knit top. I’m figuring the reporter mixed me up with some different “middle-aged” lady—maybe the one who fainted! The reporter described Tom way differently than the way I saw him, too. She said he was in comfortable looking black pants—really, he wore a well-tailored dark charcoal grey suit -- it had a long jacket which he removed to show a matching grey vest with a reddish-colored back and a gold colored shirt. She said his face was “a bit more rounded”. I thought he looked noticeably thinner all over - face included. (More about this later.)
Quotes: I saw the band 9 times last year on the tour, not 27 as quoted. I haven’t even seen the band 27 times in total. I don’t pay “top dollar” to see the band. Those are the reporter’s words, not mine. Last year I bought my allotted amount of Highway Companion club tickets, bought most of the rest from Ticketmaster, and paid a scalper $700 for a pair of tickets, not for one ticket and only because they were front row center toward Mike’s side (I couldn’t resist since I’ve only been lucky enough to be in front a few times).
Truths: It is true I was blissfully unaware of the celebrities, etc. During the concert, I had eyes only for the 6 men onstage! I didn’t waste a single concert moment. It is also true that I touched Tom’s shoe. Ok, it was a crazed moment, I admit! But, because the stage was probably 5 feet high, I pretty much held on to it throughout the show so I could see over it. When Tom came right up to the edge, I just extended my finger ever-so-slightly and touched those soft, dark grey shoes. Ooooh, I still can’t believe I did it! And yes, I have washed my hands! hee hee!
Review: Ok, here is how I saw the night. I’m skipping quickly over all the pre-show—it was fun—good food, drinks, lovely décor and surroundings. The tents and seating were incredible. Everything was beautifully done and the staff was so nice. I went down to the front at 7:30 to hold my spot slightly to the left of Tom and watch the last minute preparations on stage. The crowd really started buzzing as the concert time approached. When the first sounds of Listen to Her Heart started, it was packed up front and the crowd went crazy. I literally gasped when I saw Tom. The time off has been good for him. He looked well-rested, happy, thinner, and so amazingly handsome with that beard! Ben was smiling and so was Mike. The band sounded sharp. Every song was well-done and sounded great. (My only complaint, and I hesitate to say “complaint”, was that they didn’t do any lengthy, extended jams on Mary Jane, It’s Good to Be King, and Mystic Eyes like they usually do.) I know many of you commented that the songs were just last year’s tour, but I feel like the guy in the review who said that Tom could play “fu*king Chopsticks and it would be amazing”. (Who, by the way was a really fun guy, who I’m sure never said that Tom “seems so dead”!) When the opening chords of The Best of Everything began, the whole night was worth it to me. Oh Carol was incredible—the band was really rocking. I could watch Mike play all day. I can’t understand how his fingers move so fast. He makes it seem effortless. The stage was simple, no fancy lighting, no Oriental carpets, no screens, just the guys and their instruments. The sound was good, too, as always. I noticed that Mike didn’t bring all the guitars I’m used to seeing. He didn’t play his Duesenberg and he didn’t have the Broadcaster. Maybe it’s because Chinner wasn’t there to take care of them. Tom seemed to have most of his usual guitars and I was close enough to see his signature on the Rickenbacker. I know on the boards there have been many comments about the fact that rich, unappreciative Hamptonians were there, but honestly, everyone up front was a fan or became one after the show. Many people I met had always liked the music, but after seeing the live show are now hooked for life. The energy was incredible and it was truly like being at any TP & HB show I’ve ever been to. And one bonus about going to a concert with rich people--I left my bag with many of my belongings on a chair, and it was still there when the concert was over!
Well, my fifteen minutes of unwanted fame are over—and that reporter didn’t even spell my name correctly!
Patti
Since I’ve been described in that Hampton review as an old, fat, tackily-dressed, lunatic fan, I figured I would finally write and ‘fess up about my concert experience. I know many of you, and I hope that you are happy for me that I was able to attend. First of all, I would have admitted beforehand I was going to the concert, but so many on the boards had (and still have) such strong opinions about it that I didn’t want to get caught up in the controversy. I had no issues with TP&HB performing in the Hamptons or with me attending the concert. Tom has said in numerous interviews that he wanted a break from touring. He must have seen this concert as a no-hassle way of performing a bit while getting some substantial cash in the process. It was a lot of money to pay for a ticket, but when my husband asked me for suggestions for an anniversary gift and I told him, “I want to see Tom Petty,” he figured it was a lot cheaper than a nice piece of jewelry and said, “Go for it!” So I did.
Now, just to clear things up before I review the concert, hardly anything that reporter said about me was true -- from my appearance to things I said. I have great sympathy for celebrities since I now know just how much reporters twist things around. I thought the girl next to me was a fan. She was there from the start of the show and we were laughing, talking and dancing, etc. together. Now I know she was just trying to get a story. I guess I’m too naďve and trusting. When she finally admitted she was a reporter and I wouldn’t talk to her anymore, she slunk off to pester someone else, I guess. Here’s the truths and the untruths:
Appearance: I guess I’m vain enough to be the most bothered by how she described me! I am over forty so the middle aged part is true and I do wear glasses. And while I’m not thin, I’m also not obese—just somewhere in-between. I don’t think anyone would describe me as “stout”. I certainly was not wearing sequin-studded shorts and a blue paisley shirt! I didn’t even wear shorts to Vegas in 2005 when I waited in line ten hours in the hot sun to see the band. No, to the Hamptons concert I wore long jeans and a black, lacey knit top. I’m figuring the reporter mixed me up with some different “middle-aged” lady—maybe the one who fainted! The reporter described Tom way differently than the way I saw him, too. She said he was in comfortable looking black pants—really, he wore a well-tailored dark charcoal grey suit -- it had a long jacket which he removed to show a matching grey vest with a reddish-colored back and a gold colored shirt. She said his face was “a bit more rounded”. I thought he looked noticeably thinner all over - face included. (More about this later.)
Quotes: I saw the band 9 times last year on the tour, not 27 as quoted. I haven’t even seen the band 27 times in total. I don’t pay “top dollar” to see the band. Those are the reporter’s words, not mine. Last year I bought my allotted amount of Highway Companion club tickets, bought most of the rest from Ticketmaster, and paid a scalper $700 for a pair of tickets, not for one ticket and only because they were front row center toward Mike’s side (I couldn’t resist since I’ve only been lucky enough to be in front a few times).
Truths: It is true I was blissfully unaware of the celebrities, etc. During the concert, I had eyes only for the 6 men onstage! I didn’t waste a single concert moment. It is also true that I touched Tom’s shoe. Ok, it was a crazed moment, I admit! But, because the stage was probably 5 feet high, I pretty much held on to it throughout the show so I could see over it. When Tom came right up to the edge, I just extended my finger ever-so-slightly and touched those soft, dark grey shoes. Ooooh, I still can’t believe I did it! And yes, I have washed my hands! hee hee!
Review: Ok, here is how I saw the night. I’m skipping quickly over all the pre-show—it was fun—good food, drinks, lovely décor and surroundings. The tents and seating were incredible. Everything was beautifully done and the staff was so nice. I went down to the front at 7:30 to hold my spot slightly to the left of Tom and watch the last minute preparations on stage. The crowd really started buzzing as the concert time approached. When the first sounds of Listen to Her Heart started, it was packed up front and the crowd went crazy. I literally gasped when I saw Tom. The time off has been good for him. He looked well-rested, happy, thinner, and so amazingly handsome with that beard! Ben was smiling and so was Mike. The band sounded sharp. Every song was well-done and sounded great. (My only complaint, and I hesitate to say “complaint”, was that they didn’t do any lengthy, extended jams on Mary Jane, It’s Good to Be King, and Mystic Eyes like they usually do.) I know many of you commented that the songs were just last year’s tour, but I feel like the guy in the review who said that Tom could play “fu*king Chopsticks and it would be amazing”. (Who, by the way was a really fun guy, who I’m sure never said that Tom “seems so dead”!) When the opening chords of The Best of Everything began, the whole night was worth it to me. Oh Carol was incredible—the band was really rocking. I could watch Mike play all day. I can’t understand how his fingers move so fast. He makes it seem effortless. The stage was simple, no fancy lighting, no Oriental carpets, no screens, just the guys and their instruments. The sound was good, too, as always. I noticed that Mike didn’t bring all the guitars I’m used to seeing. He didn’t play his Duesenberg and he didn’t have the Broadcaster. Maybe it’s because Chinner wasn’t there to take care of them. Tom seemed to have most of his usual guitars and I was close enough to see his signature on the Rickenbacker. I know on the boards there have been many comments about the fact that rich, unappreciative Hamptonians were there, but honestly, everyone up front was a fan or became one after the show. Many people I met had always liked the music, but after seeing the live show are now hooked for life. The energy was incredible and it was truly like being at any TP & HB show I’ve ever been to. And one bonus about going to a concert with rich people--I left my bag with many of my belongings on a chair, and it was still there when the concert was over!
Well, my fifteen minutes of unwanted fame are over—and that reporter didn’t even spell my name correctly!
Patti